Atwoli Turns Up the Heat on Ruto with 23% Pay Rise Push Ahead of Labour Day

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 27 April 2026 - COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli is mounting fresh pressure on President William Ruto to deliver a 23% wage increase for Kenyan workers, casting the proposal as both an urgent economic intervention and a defining test of the administration’s pro-labour credentials ahead of Labour Day.

Speaking with trademark confidence, Atwoli said workers are straining under the weight of rising living costs and deserve immediate relief.

“The President understands the struggles of the ordinary worker. We are optimistic he will act in their best interest,” he said, signalling that COTU expects a favourable announcement on May 1. It will be marked in Vihiga County.

At the heart of COTU’s push is the long-running fight over Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), which Atwoli insists must be respected, updated, and enforced across sectors.

He argues that many employers have delayed or diluted negotiated terms, undermining workers’ rights to fair wages, safe conditions, and job security.

For COTU, the 23 per cent increase is not an isolated demand but part of a broader effort to restore dignity to labour through binding agreements that reflect current economic realities.

Atwoli revealed that the union has already submitted a memorandum of understanding to the government outlining its proposals, including wage adjustments, strengthened enforcement of CBAs, and enhanced protections for workers in both formal and informal sectors. He framed the MOU as a roadmap for rebuilding trust between labour, government, and employers.

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Beyond wages, COTU’s agenda remains firmly anchored on core labour rights: timely payment of salaries, protection against unfair dismissal, improved workplace safety standards, and the expansion of social security coverage.

Atwoli has repeatedly warned that failure to address these issues risks deepening inequality and fuelling unrest among the workforce.

In a politically charged twist, Atwoli linked the wage proposal to future electoral dynamics, suggesting that a decisive move by Ruto could galvanise worker support at the ballot in 2027. The message is clear: economic goodwill today could translate into political capital tomorrow.

Whether the government will meet the full 23 per cent demand remains uncertain, especially amid fiscal constraints and competing priorities. However, Atwoli’s bold framing raises the stakes, turning this year’s Labour Day into more than a ceremonial event—it is shaping up as a litmus test of the administration’s commitment to Kenya’s workers.

As the countdown to 1 May continues, all eyes are on State House. For millions of workers, the question is no longer whether change is needed, but whether it will finally arrive.